A Bristol Fighter pilot, John Pierce Findlay joined the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917. 2nd Lieutenant Findlay received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 5152 on the Maurice Farman biplane at Military School, Ruislip on 26 August 1917. In 1918, he was posted to 88 Squadron where he scored three victories before he received a stomach wound in August. Following a quick recovery, he returned to duty in September and shared three more victories with his observers.